Cover Image: How to Hide in Plain Sight

How to Hide in Plain Sight

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Member Reviews

This book is way more than just a book - it is a love letter to anyone with OCD from Emma Noyes. See, Emma Noyes has OCD, but not the normal hands washing all the time, checking locks kind of OCD. She has an OCD in her head that makes her think odd, crazy, sometimes awful, thoughts - and those thoughts do not stop. They do not stop. And so, she wrote a book, using Eliot as an amazing young woman who has gone through quite a bit in her short life including the death of a brother, but the worse thing for Eliot is that she has these "Worries." These things that just pop into her head and make her feel like she is an awful person.

I do not have OCD but my heart goes out to not only everyone with OCD, but every sister, mother, spouse, and partner with OCD. This book was quite an eye-opener for me and I enjoyed every moment reading it.

Thank you Berkley & Netgalley and Emma Noyes for this ARC

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A book that resonated with me on so many levels. The story’s exploration of family dynamics and the complexities of love is both tender and profound. Eliot Beck’s character, with her struggles and triumphs, felt incredibly real to me, as if her journey was a mirror to my own experiences with vulnerability and strength.

The reunion with her family and the rekindling of a childhood friendship turned romance with Manuel was beautifully written. It reminded me of the importance of confronting our past and the healing that comes with it. Noyes’ portrayal of Eliot’s battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder was handled with such care and authenticity, it brought a deeper understanding and empathy for those who live with mental health challenges.

This book is more than just a romance; it’s a story about breaking down the walls we build around ourselves and finding the courage to let others in. I couldn’t help but root for Eliot and Manuel, their love story felt like finding the missing piece of a puzzle. If you’re looking for a book that’s as heartwarming as it is insightful, I highly recommend "How to Hide in Plain Sight".

It’s a brilliant and tender story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.

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Thank you Berkley & Netgalley for this ARC!

I am so grateful that I had the privilege of reading this book. As someone with OCD, the representation in this book nearly brought me to tears on multiple occasions. This book handles the topic of mental illnesses with such kindness and care while also not being afraid to dive into the scarier, more taboo sides of it.

Eliot is such a wonderful protagonist and I was fully invested in her thought processes and story the entire time I was reading. I saw parts of myself in her that I’ve never seen in any other character before and it was such an affirming experience.

I also really loved the dynamic between Eliot and Manuel, their relationship was very sweet and exactly what I want in a childhood friends to lovers romance.

This feels like one of those books that came to me right when I needed it and I’m so glad that was the case. I think anyone who has the chance should read this book cover to cover. You won’t regret it.

Definitely another one to add to the favorites pile.

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I discovered Emma Noyes last year with her previous book, Guy’s Girl, which I LOVED. So as soon as I saw her latest book I knew I had to read it immediately. Luckily Berkely didn’t let me down. How To Hide In Plain Sight is another masterpiece by Emma. I loved the family dynamics between the siblings in the book, as well as their parents. The setting of the story was also amazing and very descriptive, which I enjoyed. This book managed to pull on so many different elements: love, loss, mental health, family and more. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to everyone in a heartbeat. It held my interest and I breezed through it once I started. All the stars!!

Thank you so much to Berkeley and to NetGalley for the ARC.

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How to Hide in Plain Sight is an intriguing look at how OCD can affect not only one's own mind and personal relationships, but a family's dynamic, as well. Throughout the book you get a glimpse of life and its challenges for Eliot through flashbacks growing up and in the present as she deals with a 3 year absence from her family and best friend, Manuel. I found this book entertaining, heartbreaking, profound, and bittersweet. And I loved it. 5 Stars!

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An absolutely stunning read. The story kept me captivated the entire time, and I very much appreciated the timeline split. The author does an incredible job of depicting OCD. This novel was simultaneously heart wrenching, disturbing, and poignant. I was blown away by the writing style. I cannot recommend this enough and am so excited for it to release so I can make my friends read it.

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The writing is lovely, the characters are interesting, the setup is interesting, but I found myself unable to focus and gave up at the 16% mark. I think readers looking for a slow-paced introspective will be pleased. I don't see it doing as well in our libraries, but I could definitely see this working for book clubs, etc. For the right readers, this is an easy 5 stars. I'd guess a solid 3-4 stars for the target demographic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

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How To Hide in Plain Sight was....interesting. Eventually it felt like a big pity party and I got tired of it. Being someone who deals with OCD thoughts, I understood her trauma but really just wanted her to buck up and live a happy life! I thought it was well written and definitely thought provoking.

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I'm not sure I can describe how much I loved this book. I wish it didn't have to end and I want to read it again for the first time! I would definitely recommend this to my patrons at the library.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley & Emma Noyes for a digital galley of How to Hide in Plain Sight in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved & devoured Guy's Girl & am thrilled to have had to the opportunity to read & review How to Hide in Plain Sight so far ahead of publication. It was just as good, if not better. I cannot wait to share my review on IG closer to publication!

This is a beautiful romance centering around Eliot Beck who suffers from OCD. She travels back home to Canada for her brother's wedding. She hasn't seen her family in three years & needs to keep her reasoning for not coming home to visit a secret to protect her mental health. Then she runs into her best friend Manuel, who was also the guy she was/is madly in love with. But allowing herself to have a good time with her family and explore a romance with Manuel are terrifying for her because she's closed herself off to protect herself due to her mental health issues & opening herself up to family & love could cause her protective barriers to come crashing down.

First, I love the new trend by many others to normalize mental health. People were considered "crazy" for so long because they had mental issues & that's just not the case. Kudos to Noyes for continuing to help normalize mental health issues & how important it is to seek help. Further, Noyes does such a fantastic job in describing OCD and showing how it can be different for each person who has it. Just because a person has the same mental illness as another, doesn't mean that it shows up the same for both people.

This book was heavy, raw, real, necessary, relevant, beautiful & so heartwarming. Following Eliot's OCD journey from where it began to where she ends up at the end of this story is a journey that I feel honored to have been on through Noyes' outstanding writing.

I already know that this will be in at least my Top 10 books for 2024.

Full 5-Stars!

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This is a interesting book especially if you are the youngest child of a large family. There is much family interaction in the story, but was not the kind of book that I enjoy the most. Mini Family secrets Were gradually revealed which led to mystery and intrigue

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‘How to Hide in Plain Sight’ is a poignant romance that will uplift your heart and dig deep onto the soul. Its a story of self growth, learning to fight for your happiness and embracing love when it comes your way. An artistry gem of a romance that strikes deep!

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I absolutely loved Guys Girl so I knew I would adore this one equally as well and I do!
I loved Eliot and her family and of course swoons Manuel who she has been in love with forever.
I loved that it covered topics such as dysfunctional family, OCD, and childhood love that crosses many years.
it was written absolutely gorgeously as I felt I was right there with the characters. Readers will love getting to know Eliot and Manuel and will be rooting them In throughout reading the whole story to see if they get their happy ending or not! I know I did. I’m so looking forward to more upcoming books from Emma Noyes.

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